How to Get to Bulgaria by Car?
Atomic Answer: How To Get To Bulgaria By Car? is a critical component of the Canadian immigration framework. As of 2026, applicants navigating this pathway must adhere to the latest IRCC guidelines, ensure all documentation is properly prepared, and meet the specific eligibility requirements. Processing times and exact costs will vary based on individual circumstances.
How to Get to Bulgaria by Car?
Due to its proximity to Turkey, traveling to Bulgaria by car is often preferred by those traveling to the country. You can drive from Turkey to Bulgaria via the Kapıkule Border Gate in Edirne or the Hamzabeyli Border Gate or the Dereköy Border Gate in Kırklareli.
People who want to go to Bulgaria by car can travel to Bulgaria after preparing the necessary documents and completing the visa procedures.
What documents are required to travel to Bulgaria by car?
The documents required to travel to Bulgaria by car are listed below.
- A valid passport of the Republic of Türkiye
- A valid Schengen visa
- A driver's license with international validity
- Foreign exit stamp duty payment receipt
- Bulgaria travel health insurance
- Bulgaria green card insurance
Passport
People who want to travel to Bulgaria must present a passport that is valid for the entire duration of their travel to Bulgaria, has at least 2 blank pages and was issued within the last 10 years. Regardless of the type of passport, all citizens of the Republic of Turkey must have a passport in order to leave the country.
Visa
People who will travel to Bulgaria may be exempt from visas depending on the type of passport they have. Citizens of the Republic of Turkey who hold diplomatic (black) passports, special (green) passports and service (grey) passports are exempt from visas for their travels to Bulgaria for a certain period of time.
Ordinary (maroon) passport holders must apply for a visa to travel to Bulgaria. Persons requiring a visa to enter Bulgaria must have a valid Bulgarian or Schengen visa.
Is a Bulgarian Visa Required for a Balkan Tour by Car?
If you are going to exit and enter via Bulgaria while touring the Balkans by car, you will need to obtain a Bulgarian transit visa or at least a double-entry Bulgarian Schengen visa.
A Balkan tour by car via Bulgaria is not possible without a double entry or multiple Schengen visa. People who want to make a Balkan tour by car must prepare documents such as the green card insurance required for road travel, in addition to the required visa type.
Internationally Valid Driving License
The new type of Turkish Republic driving licenses are valid for travels to Bulgaria by car. If the person who will travel to Bulgaria by car has an old type driving license, an international driving license (international driving license) must be obtained.
An international driver's license is a document that shows that drivers have the right to drive outside their country of residence. An international driver's license can be obtained by applying to the Turkish Touring and Automobile Association with a driver's license, Turkish Republic ID number and 2 photographs.
Foreign Exit Stamp Payment Receipt
Citizens of the Republic of Turkey who plan to travel abroad are required to obtain an exit stamp and have it stamped in their passports at passport control when leaving the country. Regardless of the means of transportation used to travel abroad, it is mandatory to obtain an exit stamp whenever leaving the Turkish borders.
The international exit stamp fee, which was determined as 150 Turkish Lira in 2024, can be paid from international exit stamp machines located at airports, tax offices or some banks.
Bulgaria Travel Health Insurance
Travel health insurance that people traveling to Bulgaria must submit in their visa application files must have a coverage amount of at least 30,000 Euros, be valid in all Schengen countries, and cover emergency treatment, some urgent health problems, hospitalization or return to the country in case of death. Bulgarian visa applications that do not include a travel health insurance policy are rejected.
Bulgaria Green Card Insurance
Green card insurance is a type of traffic insurance that must be purchased for international travel to countries that are members of the green card system. People who will travel to Bulgaria by car must have green card insurance for the vehicle they will be traveling with, as the country is a member of the green card system. Green card insurance can be purchased for the vehicle by presenting the Vehicle License and valid Turkish Traffic Insurance photocopies issued for the vehicle that will be used to travel to Bulgaria.
Through Which Customs Gates Can I Exit Bulgaria by Vehicle?
Exiting Bulgaria by vehicle can be done through the customs gates listed below.
- Edirne, Kapıkule Border Gate, Kapitan Andreevo Border Gate
- Edirne, Hamzabeyli Border Gate, Lesovo Border Gate
- Kırklareli, Dereköy Border Gate, Malko Tirnova Border Gate
Can I Go to Bulgaria with a Company Car?
Yes, it is possible to travel to Bulgaria with a company car, but if the driver is not the owner of the company, he/she must obtain a power of attorney from the relevant company to travel abroad with the car.
Can You Go to Bulgaria by Rental Car?
It is possible to go to Bulgaria with a rental car, but a power of attorney stating that the vehicle will be used abroad must be obtained from the rental company where the vehicle was purchased.
What are the best routes for a drive around Bulgaria?
The most beautiful routes for a Bulgaria trip by car are listed below.
- Balkan Mountains
- Shipka Summit
- Veliko Tarnovo
- Haskovo
- Asenovgrad
- Burgas
- Public Proof
- Plovdiv
- Prince Alexander
- Velingrad
- Bansko
- Vitosha Boulevard
- Lake Ariana
- Stefan Stambolov Square
- Borisova Gradina Park
Is It Dangerous to Drive to Bulgaria?
The motorways in Bulgaria are well-designed roads designed for high-speed driving, with multiple lanes, two-way traffic, with designated entrances and exits, and no pedestrians or animals allowed, and it is not dangerous to travel by car in the country.
During long-term holidays such as Eid in Turkey, travel from Turkey to Bulgaria is more frequent. During the Hıdırellez celebrations, which are among the important traditions for Bulgarian Turks, travel from Turkey to Bulgaria is intense.
What are the speed limits in Bulgaria?
Motorways in Bulgaria are designed for fast driving and also have wide roads with multiple lanes. The speed limit on motorways in Bulgaria is a maximum of 140 kilometers per hour on motorways with emergency lanes and a maximum of 120 kilometers per hour on motorways without emergency lanes.
Can You Go to Romania by Car from Bulgaria?
You can travel to Romania by car via Bulgaria with a single-entry Bulgarian Schengen visa.
How Many Hours Does It Take to Drive to Bulgaria?
You can reach Bulgaria by car via Kapıkule Border Gate in Edirne or Hamzabeyli Border Gate in approximately 7 hours from Izmir, 3.5 hours from Istanbul and 8 hours from Ankara.
You can reach Bulgaria by car via the Dereköy Border Gate in Kırklareli in approximately 7.5 hours from Izmir, 4 hours from Istanbul and 9 hours from Ankara.